Compact modular housing unit

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to a compact modular housing unit ( 1 ) for housing a user ( 8 ). The modular housing unit ( 1 ) comprises a box-shaped structure ( 2 ), which encloses an inner chamber ( 20 ), and a bed or the like ( 3 ), which is positioned in the inner chamber ( 20 ). The box-shaped structure ( 2 ) has an access opening ( 26 ) to the inner chamber ( 20 ). The bed ( 3 ) is mounted on guides ( 4 ) and is adapted to perform a translational movement with respect to the box-shaped structure ( 2 ) along said guides ( 4 ): the bed ( 3 ) is movable between a first position, in which the bed ( 3 ) is completely inside the inner chamber ( 20 ), and a second position, in which the bed ( 3 ) protrudes at least partially from the inner chamber ( 20 ) through said access opening ( 26 ). The modular housing unit ( 1 ) is configured to allow a user ( 8 ) to lie in the bed ( 3 ) when the bed ( 3 ) is in the first position inside the inner chamber ( 20 ). The movability of the bed ( 3 ) between the first position and the second position, and vice versa, allows the user ( 8 ) to exit from/enter the inner chamber ( 20 ) while remaining lying in the bed ( 3 ). In particular, the translational movement of the bed ( 3 ) is along a translational axis which is parallel to a longitudinal axis ( 300 ) of the bed, corresponding to a head-feet direction of the user ( 8 ). According to an embodiment, the modular housing unit ( 1 ) is further configured to float on water ( 97 ): at least a bottom region ( 207 ) of the box-shaped structure ( 2 ) is watertight and the modular housing unit ( 1 ) in the floating condition is a survival cell for the user ( 8 ) when in a condition of danger due to a surrounding water environment.

The present disclosure relates in general to the sector of housingand/or sheltering of persons. In particular, the present disclosurerelates to a modular housing unit of the compact type, which is adaptedto provide housing or shelter for a person (or if necessary severalpersons). More specifically, the compact housing unit is useful forproviding a room or compartment in which the person may stay, sleepsafely and/or be protected from external agents for example in the caseof an emergency, also following a natural disaster.

According to the state of the art, capsule-type modular housing units,which may be used as a bedroom in a hotel or rural environments, or as atemporary housing in emergency situations, are already known. Thesemodular housing units have a compact small-size shape and are suitableessentially for a single person in a lying-down position (or at best ina sitting position) and contain a bed generally consisting of a simplemattress or the like, on which the person may sleep.

Examples of these known housing units are described in US patentapplication No. US 2010/01075511 A1 and in U.S. Pat. No. 6,981,347.

A drawback of these known housing units is related with the limitedcomfort which they offer and the difficulty of using them. These housingunits in fact extend substantially in a horizontal direction and havedimensions slightly bigger than the bed contained in them; moreover, thedoors or access openings for entering into the housing unit have smalldimensions. Consequently, for a user, the entry into the housing unitand the exit therefrom are difficult and awkward operations owing to thelimited amount of space and the need to pass from a standing positioninto a lying-down position (or vice versa) when entering (or leaving)the housing unit. In fact, in these known housing units, the user mustbasically crouch down and crawl inside the housing unit.

Also, a prolonged stay inside the housing unit is uncomfortable sincethe only position which is allowed by the dimensions of the housing unitis a position lying on the bed or, at best, a position sat on the bedwith the legs extended. This gives rise to both physical andpsychological discomfort in the case of prolonged stays.

In some cases, in an attempt to overcome this drawback, the dimensionsof the housing unit have been increased considerably, thereby obtaining,however, a housing unit which is much more bulky and no longer with theadvantage of being compact.

Patent application No. JP2000051006 describes a safety bed forprotection against earthquakes, in which a metal structure has a spacefor receiving the bed. The bed is laterally movable so as to protrudefrom a long side of the metal structure. It should be noted that thissafety bed is not a modular housing unit comprising a box-likestructure, but is instead a bed with a canopy-like protective structurethat is very high in relation to the bed. In particular, the side of thestructure from which the bed protrudes is a face that is open andcompletely devoid of protection.

Another drawback of the known housing units is related with a certainlack of intrinsic safety; this aspect has been generally neglected orits importance underestimated, also because of the fact that the knownhousing units are usually intended to be positioned in closed locationsor in any case in protected locations. In particular, the known housingunits are not suitable for providing effective and reliable protectionin the case where the housing unit is situated in water, for examplefollowing a flood or after slipping into the sea. Moreover, the knownhousing units are not usually able to provide effective protectionagainst attempted break-ins or against the impact of foreign bodies ofconsiderable weight.

Some documents from the prior art, such as WO2013/018872A1,CN202104575U, U.S. Pat. No. 4,631,038 and WO2013/059890A1, describeunits which are able to float. However, none of the units described inthese documents appears to be suitable for ensuring a safe and stablecondition both on the ground during normal use and when floating inwater. In particular, none of these documents appears to deal with thetechnical problem of preventing overturning of the unit when floating.

The present disclosure is therefore based in the technical problem ofproviding a modular housing unit which is able to overcome at least oneof the drawbacks mentioned above with reference to the prior art and/orto achieve further advantages.

This is obtained by providing a modular housing unit for housing a useraccording to independent claim 1. Another solution is obtained byproviding a modular housing unit according to independent claim 13.Particular embodiments of the subject of the present disclosure aredefined in the corresponding dependent claims.

The modular housing unit according to the present disclosure may find anapplication in external environmental situations which are verydifferent from each other. For example, it may be used: in a domesticenvironment; for increasing the capacity of hotels or private homes; inplace of tents or bungalows in campsites or encampments; as a protectiveunit for persons operating on land-based worksites; as an emergencyshelter in the case of natural catastrophes; for military applicationsas a field shelter; as an emergency shelter on sea platforms; as amedical hospitalization unit; or as an emergency facility by localauthorities for meeting temporary needs, such as providing accommodationfor non-resident persons in transit.

The term “modular” is understood as meaning that the housing unit is anassembly or module which is per se autonomous and complete forfulfilling its function of housing a user. The housing unit is modularalso in the sense that a plurality of housing units may be arranged nextto each other so as to form a housing nucleus. Moreover, the housingunit may be modular in the sense that it is composed by parts which canbe assembled to compose housing units with dimensions different fromeach other.

The modular housing unit is of the compact type, i.e. it has smalldimensions. For example, the housing unit, in its individualconfiguration, is of a size suitable for receiving a single person andhas a length and a width which are slightly bigger than the dimensionsof a single bed. The modular housing unit has a small height, butnevertheless is big enough to allow a user to remain lying inside itand, in particular, to remain also seated inside it. For example, themodular housing unit has an elongated tubular shape with a longitudinalaxis which is parallel to the head-feet direction of a user lyingtherein. The compactness of the housing unit is useful for managing inan optimum manner the transportation and positioning of the housing unititself.

A first aspect forming the basis of the solution proposed by the presentdisclosure is that of providing a modular housing unit comprising abox-shaped structure (in particular a tubular structure), which enclosesan inner chamber, and a relaxation device (basically a bed or the like,which may also be formed by a kind of reclinable armchair or anadjustable bed) which is arranged inside the inner chamber, i.e. insidethe box-shaped structure.

In the context of the present disclosure, the expression “box-shapedstructure” refers to a substantially rigid structure or casing with amore or less regular shape which is not necessarily a parallelepiped.For example, the box-shaped structure has a cylindrical shape and has acircular or elliptical cross-section; alternatively, it may have aprismatic shape and have a square, rectangular or polygonalcross-section.

The box-shaped structure has at least one access opening to the innerchamber and the relaxation device (below referred to in short simply as“bed”) is mounted on guides which allow a translational movement of thebed with respect to the box-shaped structure. This translationalmovement has a stroke such that the bed is movable between a firstposition, in which the bed is completely inside the inner chamber, and asecond position, in which the bed projects or protrudes at leastpartially from the inner chamber through the access opening.

When the bed is in the first position inside the inner chamber, the usermay remain on the bed and is completely protected by the surroundingbox-shaped structure. When the bed is in the second partially-projectingposition, for the user it is easier to lie down on the bed, get on oroff it; in fact, at least along the portion projecting outside of theinner chamber, the user is not hindered by the narrowness of the accessopening and by the box-shaped structure.

In other words, the user sits or lies down on the bed in the secondposition and then, remaining seated or lying flat on the bed, the useris able to slide the bed so that it enters completely inside the innerchamber. The user may perform these actions in reverse in order to exitfrom the housing unit and get off the bed.

Owing to this first aspect, the housing unit according to the presentdisclosure is useful for simplifying the entry/exit of the userinto/from of the inner chamber, without having to crouch down and crawlinside the housing unit, this being necessary instead in the case of theknown housing units mentioned above.

The housing unit according to the present disclosure is easy-to-use forthe user: instead of the user having to crawl along the bed in order toenter or exit into/from the inner chamber (as instead occurs in thehousing units according to the prior art), it is the bed itself with theuser on top which moves with respect to the inner chamber.

In particular, the direction of sliding of the bed is parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the bed, i.e. to the head-feet direction of theuser. This is advantageous also because it allows the user to arrangethe bed in a position where a part of the user's body (for example thefeet and/or the legs, or the head) remain outside of the inner chamber,for example in order to increase the comfort or receive medicalassistance.

In one embodiment, the part of the bed which is closer to the accessopening, and which therefore passes first through the access openingwhen the bed is displaced outwards toward the second position, is theregion which is intended for the feet/shins of the user. In particular,the part of the bed which projects outside the access opening when thebed is in the second position is the region intended for the user'slegs. Therefore, in order to enter into the housing unit, the user maysit on the projecting part when the bed is in the second position, withhis/her back towards the access opening; then, while remaining sittingor lying on the bed, the user slides the bed until it reaches the firstposition inside the housing unit, for example by applying force along aspecial handrail arranged inside the inner chamber.

In order to exit from the housing unit, the user performs the oppositemovements and therefore moves outside of the inner chamber whileremaining for example in the sitting position on the bed.

The sitting position may be made particularly comfortable by providingthe possibility of lowering (and/or hingeably closing) the region of thebed intended for the user's shins.

In one embodiment, the housing unit has a second access opening which isarranged on an opposite side of the inner chamber with respect to the(first) access opening mentioned above. The bed is movable also towardsa third position in which the bed projects or protrudes at leastpartially from the inner chamber through the second access opening.Therefore, the bed may be slid out on one side or the opposite side,depending on the need. In particular, with a sliding direction of thebed which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bed, the user maydecide to remain outside of the inner chamber with the bottom part ofthe body (i.e. with the feet and/or legs), leaving the bed partiallyprojecting from the first access opening, or with the top part of thebody (i.e. head and/or trunk), leaving the bed partially projecting fromthe second access opening. The user may assume a plurality of positions,projecting more or less from the inner chamber, depending on the needand the activity to be performed (sleeping, relaxation, reading,sun-bathing, medical treatment, etc.).

In one embodiment, the bed has a frame which is articulated andtherefore has at least one first section which is angularly displaceablewith respect to a second section.

For example, the bed comprises a raisable backrest, for allowing theuser to remain seated and have a support for the back.

For example, the bed comprises a section supporting the shins, orleg-rest, which can be lowered with respect to the section supportingthe thighs/pelvis. This allows the user to remain seated with the kneesbent and the feet lower than the pelvis, and therefore in a comfortableposition.

The characteristic feature of having a bed with an articulated frame isuseful for allowing the user to assume a plurality of comfortablepositions, depending on his/her requirements in any one moment, reducingto a minimum the discomfort caused by remaining in a confined space fora long period of time.

A second aspect forming the basis of the solution proposed by thepresent disclosure is that of providing a modular housing unit which isconfigured to float in the case where the modular housing unit issituated in water for any reason (for example during a flood or afterslipping off a sea platform) or is deliberately placed in the water (forexample when used as a rescue unit following an accident at sea). Inother words, the housing unit may float in the manner of a boat and forma survival cell for the user, offering him/her protection in a dangercondition due to the surrounding water environment as occurs in thesituations described above.

For this purpose, the modular housing unit is watertight at least in itsbottom portion which is intended to be kept under the water level whenfloating. In other words, the bottom portion of the housing unit behavesin a manner similar to a hull, preventing the infiltration of water intothe inner chamber.

Owing to said second aspect, the housing unit according to the presentdisclosure is useful for providing effective and reliable protection fora user in the case where the housing unit is situated in water, allowingthe user to be protected from the surrounding dangers while waiting forhelp.

In particular, the housing unit comprises at least one movable memberwhich in normal conditions forms a base for resting on the ground and,when the housing unit is floating on water, can be positioned in afin-like or fin-keel-like configuration for preventing overturning ofthe housing unit.

The modular housing unit may further comprise inflatable members orrings which are arranged on the outside of the box-shaped structure.These members or rings are adapted to be inflated by a gas (for exampleair or nitrogen, supplied from a special cylinder) so as to increase theArchimedes' thrust and therefore the floating capacity in water of thehousing unit. In addition or alternatively, the housing unit maycomprise rigid elements with an internal cavity, which are mounted onthe outside of the box-shaped structure and have essentially thefunction of floats.

These inflatable members or rings and/or rigid floating elements areuseful for preventing sinking of the housing unit in the event of ittaking in water for any reason.

A modular housing unit according to the present disclosure may includeonly the first aspect (namely the movable and extractable relaxationdevice), only the second aspect (namely the floating capacity), or bothaspects.

Further advantages, characteristic features and modes of use of thesubject of the present disclosure will become clear from the followingdetailed description of an example of embodiment thereof, provided byway of a non-limiting example.

It is evident, however, that each embodiment of the subject of thepresent disclosure may have one or more of the advantages listed above;in any case it is not required that each embodiment should havesimultaneously all the advantages listed.

Reference will be made to the figures of the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a modular housing unit according tothe present disclosure, in a first condition;

FIG. 2 shows a front view of the housing unit according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a side view of the housing unit according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a top plan view of the housing unit according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 shows a front view of the inside of the housing unit according toFIG. 1, from which some parts have been removed;

FIG. 6 shows a top plan view of the inside of the housing unit accordingto FIG. 1, from which some parts have been removed;

FIGS. 7 and 8 show respectively a perspective view and a side view ofthe housing unit according to FIG. 1 in a position where used by a user;

FIGS. 9, 10 and 11, show perspective views of the housing unit accordingto FIG. 1 in other positions used by a user;

FIGS. 12 to 18 show side views of the inside of the housing unitaccording to FIG. 1, from which some parts have been removed, in aplurality of positions for use by a user;

FIG. 19 shows a front view of the housing unit according to FIG. 1, withparts detached;

FIGS. 20 and 21 show respectively a front view and a side view of thehousing unit according to FIG. 1, in a second condition;

FIG. 22 shows a front view of a second embodiment of a modular housingunit according to the present disclosure, in a first condition;

FIGS. 23 and 24 show respectively a front view and a side view of thehousing unit according to FIG. 22, in a second condition;

FIGS. 25 and 26 show, in front views, two intermediate conditions of thehousing unit according to FIG. 22 during transition towards the secondcondition;

FIG. 27 shows a partially cross-sectioned perspective view of a thirdembodiment of a modular housing unit according to the presentdisclosure, in a first condition;

FIG. 28 shows a perspective view of the housing unit according to FIG.27, in a second condition;

FIGS. 29 and 30 show front views of a fourth embodiment of a modularhousing unit according to the present disclosure in a first conditionand a second condition, respectively;

FIGS. 31 and 32 show perspective views of a fifth embodiment of amodular housing unit according to the present disclosure in a firstcondition and a second condition, respectively;

FIGS. 33 and 34 show front views of a sixth embodiment of a modularhousing unit according to the present disclosure in a first conditionand a second condition, respectively;

FIGS. 35 to 37 show respective examples of use of modular housing unitsaccording to the present disclosure.

With reference to the accompanying figures, a modular housing unitaccording to the present disclosure is generally indicated by thereference number 1.

The housing unit 1 is useful for providing accommodation, hospitalityand/or shelter for a user 8, in particular in order to stay, pass timeand/or sleep in a closed environment protected against external agents.In other words, it is a housing of “compact” type which may be used bothin normal conditions and in emergency conditions.

The housing unit 1 comprises a box-shaped structure 2 or shell, whichencloses an inner chamber 20 adapted to house the user 8. Basically, theinner chamber 20 is a space or volume which is bounded by the walls ofthe box-shaped structure 2 and forms said closed environment protectedagainst external agents.

The box-shaped structure 2 has a substantially tubular shape extendingalong a longitudinal axis 200; it has a longitudinal side wall 23, afirst transverse wall 21, a second transverse wall 22 opposite to thefirst transverse wall 21. In the embodiment shown, the box-shapedstructure 2 has a cylindrical shape and has a cylindrical side wall 23,a first circular end wall 21, a second circular end wall 22 situatedopposite to the first end wall 21. Alternatively, the box-shapedstructure 2 may have an elliptical, square, rectangular or polygonalcross-section.

The box-shaped structure 2, which also has a load-bearing function, ismade for example of sheet metal (for example stainless steel oraluminium) or resin. The box-shaped structure 2 may also comprise aframe or trelliswork which forms a strong skeleton structure on whichthe parts which form the walls are mounted, as in an aircraft fuselage.

The side wall 23 of the box-shaped structure 2 may consist of one pieceor may be formed by several parts assembled together. For example, asshown in FIG. 19, the box-shaped structure 2 comprises a centralstructure 205 which is provided with roof 206 and base 207 and on whicha right-hand wall 208 and left-hand wall 209 are mounted. The right-handwall 208 and the left-hand wall 209 may be disassembled so as to allowseveral central structures 205 to be joined together in a modular mannerand obtain a larger housing unit 1.

The box-shaped structure 2 may also comprise an outer lining and/or aninner lining, for example in order to increase the mechanical strengththereof, the sound-proofing and/or the heat resistance. In oneembodiment, the box-shaped structure 2 has an outer layer and an innerlayer, between which there is a gap filled with an insulating materialsuch as mineral wool.

The box-shaped structure 2 may be designed to withstand intrusion,break-ins and fire.

The box-shaped structure 2 has at least one access opening 26 to theinner chamber 20. The user 8 may enter and exit into/from the innerchamber 20 through the access opening 26, which in particular is formedin the first end wall 21. The access opening 26 is provided with a door28 which allows the access opening 26 to be closed. For example, thedoor 28 may be provided with an opening/closing system of the hinged,concertina or sliding-shutter type; it may be opened outwards, inwardsor both ways,

The housing unit 1 further comprises a bed 3 which is positioned in theinner chamber 20. The bed 3 is, in general, a relaxation device on whichthe user 8 is able to sit or lie down in order to sleep, rest, read,relax, lounge or perform other activities. The term “bed” is thereforeunderstood as having a broad meaning, and not just that of a devicedesigned exclusively for sleeping. The expression “bed or the like” mustalso be understood as having this broader meaning, i.e. in the sense ofa “relaxation device”. Basically, as shown in FIGS. 12 to 18, the bed 3is a kind of reclinable armchair or adjustable bed.

In particular, the bed 3 comprises a frame 35, for example a surroundingstructure with wire mesh or slats which support a mattress 30 or thelike; alternatively, the bed 3 may comprise a mattress with a frameworkinside it or a mattress which is sufficiently strong not to require awire mesh or slat support structure.

The housing unit 1 further comprises guides 4 or rails or similar guidemeans which are also arranged in the inner chamber 20. The guides 4 areconnected to the box-shaped structure 2 such as to define a guidingpath; in particular the guides 4 are fixed to the box-shaped structure2. The bed 3 is mounted slidably on these guides 4 and is adapted toperform a translational movement with respect to the box-shapedstructure 2 along the guides 4 which therefore guide the movement of thebed 3.

In particular, the guides 4 are directed parallel to the longitudinalaxis 200 of the box-shaped structure 2 and are directed towards theaccess opening 26.

The bed 3 is movable, along said guides 4, between a first position, inwhich the bed 3 is completely inside the inner chamber 20, and a secondposition, in which the bed 3 protrudes at least partially from the innerchamber 20 through the access opening 26.

In particular, the bed 3 has an elongated form along a longitudinal axis300 which corresponds to a head-feet direction of the user 8 lying onthe bed 3 in normal conditions of use. The translational movement of thebed 3 along the guides 4 takes place along a translational axis (in thespecific case, parallel to the longitudinal axis 200 of the box-shapedstructure 2) which is parallel to the longitudinal axis 300 of the bed3: the bed 3 protrudes from the access opening 26 with its short side(namely with a side perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 300 of thebed 3) and with part of its two longitudinal sides (namely the sidesparallel to the longitudinal axis 300).

More specifically, the bed 3 has a region 31 intended to support thetrunk of the user 8, a region 32 intended to support the thighs/hips ofthe user, and a region 33 intended to support the legs/shins of the user8.

The bed 3 is oriented in such a way that the shin region 33 is closer tothe access opening 26 than the trunk region 31, when the bed 3 is in thefirst position inside the inner chamber 20. In other words, the shinregion 33 is close to the first end wall 21 and the trunk region 31 isclose to the second end wall 22. When the bed 3 is displaced into thesecond position, the shin region 33 protrudes from the access opening 26and projects from the inner chamber 20.

In particular, when the bed 3 is in the second position also the thighregion 32 is situated outside of the inner chamber 20, while the trunkregion 31 remains, entirely or partly (also depending on any raisedcondition of a backrest section 36 of the bed 3), inside the innerchamber 20.

The housing unit 1 is installed horizontally, i.e. the longitudinal axis200 of the box-shaped structure 2 and the bed 3 are substantiallyhorizontal.

The housing unit 1 comprises a supporting base 5 which is mountedunderneath the box-shaped structure 2 and allows the housing unit 1 torest stably on ground 90, soil, flat area or similar installationsurface, during a condition of normal use as a housing for the user 8.The supporting base 5 prevents the housing unit 1 from overturning.

In particular, the supporting base 5 comprises two support feet 50 a, 50b which are positioned symmetrically and extend from opposite sides withrespect to a vertical centre plane. Each support foot 50 a, 50 b extendslongitudinally over a length approximately equal to the length of thelongitudinal side wall 23 and extends laterally over a sectionsufficient to keep the housing unit 1 stable. For example, this sectionis equal to the radius of the cylindrical box-shaped structure 2. Thesupport feet 50 a, 50 b therefore form a supporting base 5 having alarge contact area with the ground 90 or with the installation surface,thus favouring the stability. Moreover, each support foot 50 a, 50 b hasan upper surface 51 with a concave shape which complements a portion ofthe longitudinal side wall 23 (in particular, the base or bottom 207 ofthe box-shaped structure 2) with which it is in contact. In other words,the support feet 50 a, 50 b define, with their upper surfaces 51, a seatinside which the bottom of the box-shaped structure 2 is stably housed.

The housing unit 1 is configured to allow a user 8 to lie in the bed 3also when the bed 3 is in the first position, i.e. inside the innerchamber 20. The box-shaped structure 2 therefore has a length L2 and adiameter D2 which are sufficient for this purpose, at least when theuser 8 is in a lying-down position. In the example shown, the housingunit 1 is designed as an individual unit for a single person.

For example, the box-shaped structure 2 has a length L2 of between 1.5and 3.5 metres and a diameter D2 of between 1 and 3.5 metres. The bed 3has a width P3 of between 50 cm and 1 metre and a length L3 of between 1and 3 metres. The length L3 and the width P3 of the bed 3 are smallerthan, respectively, the length L2 and the diameter D2 of the box-shapedstructure 2, such that the bed 3 can be completely housed inside theinner chamber 20.

When the bed 3 is in the first position, the user 8 may remain or sleepinside the inner chamber 20 and is enclosed and protected by thebox-shaped structure 2.

In the embodiment shown, the housing unit 1 is configured withdimensions such as to allow the user 8 to remain sitting on the bed 3even when the bed 3 is in the first position.

The movability of the bed 3 between the first position and the secondposition, and vice versa, allows the user 8 to exit from/enter into theinner chamber 20 while remaining lying on the bed 3. In order to enterinto the inner chamber 20, the user 8 slides the bed 3 as far as thesecond position where the bed 3 projects from the access opening 23 andprotrudes from the inner chamber 20. Being situated at least partiallyoutside of the confined environment of the inner chamber 20, for theuser 8 it is easier to sit or lie on the bed 3 when the latter is in thesecond position. In particular, in the second position the bed 3protrudes with the entire thigh region 32 and shin region 33 so that theuser 8 may easily sit on it.

After getting onto the bed 3, the user 8 slides the bed 3 as far as thefirst position inside the inner chamber 20. During this movement theuser 8 enters into the inner chamber 20 together with the bed 3, withoutthe need for the user 8 to crawl through the access opening 26. In orderto come out of the inner chamber 20, the user 8 performs the oppositemovements: remaining on the bed 3, the user 8 slides the bed 3 as far asthe second position and then gets out off the bed 3. Obviously, ifdesired, the user may enter and leave the inner chamber 20 withoutmoving the bed 3, although this is generally more awkward.

In order to facilitate the movement of the bed 3 by the user 8, thehousing unit 1 may also comprise at least one handrail 49 positioned inthe inner chamber 20. The handrail 49 is substantially parallel to theguides 4 and can be gripped with the hands by the user 8 who is lying onthe bed 3: by using the arms to apply force onto the handrail 49 (whichis fixed with respect to the box-shaped structure 2), the user 8 managesto cause the bed 3 (on which he/she is lying) to slide with respect tothe box-shaped structure 2, thus obtaining the translational movementfor entry/exit. In particular, two handrails 49 are arranged parallel tothe bed 3 on opposite sides thereof, each handrail 49 being able to begripped by a respective hand of the user 8.

If necessary, the movement of the bed 3 may be motor-driven andperformed using electromechanical systems.

In the embodiment shown, the housing unit 1 has, in addition to thefirst access opening 26 formed in the first end wall 21, also a secondaccess opening 27 formed in the second end wall 22, namely on theopposite side of the inner chamber 20. The second access opening 27 isalso provided with a respective door 29 which allows said access opening27 to be closed. The guides 4 are also directed towards the secondaccess opening 27: owing to the possibility of sliding along the guides4, the bed 3 is movable also between the first position and a thirdposition in which the bed 3 protrudes at least partially from the innerchamber 20 through the second access opening 27.

Therefore, the bed 3 may protrude both from a first side of the innerchamber 20 (second position) and from a second side opposite to thefirst side (third position). The first position, in which the bed 3 isentirely situated inside the inner chamber 20, is situated between thesecond position and the third position, in which the bed 3 projects fromone side or the opposite side.

In the third position, the bed 3 protrudes from the second accessopening 27 with the trunk region 31, namely the trunk region 31 projectsat least partly outside of the inner chamber 20.

Basically, the first access opening 26 (or front opening) is a mainaccess via which the user 8 enters into/exits from the inner chamber 8;the second access opening 27 (or rear opening) is a secondary openingwith a comfort function or an emergency exit function should the firstaccess opening 26 be obstructed or blocked.

In particular, in order to facilitate the movement of the bed 3 andallow it to protrude by a considerable amount, the bed 3 is mounted onthe guides or rails 4 by means of a guide system which, in theembodiment shown, comprises a first slide 41 and a second slide 42,which form essentially a telescopic system. The first slide 41, which isa bottom slide, is mounted slidably on the guides 4 and can travel alongthem. The second slide 42, or top slide, is mounted slidably on thefirst slide 41. For example, the first slide 41 comprises in turn itsown guides which are engaged by the second slide 42. The second slide 42supports the bed 3, namely supports the frame 35 which in turn supportsthe mattress 30 or the like; alternatively, the second slide 42 maycoincide with the frame 35 and therefore be a part of the bed 3.

In a variation of embodiment, the guide system may be positioneddifferently, for example the guides 4 may be fixed laterally to the bed3 so as not to get in the way of the user 8 when he/she is in thesitting position.

The translational movement of the bed 3 with respect to the innerchamber 20 is a combination of the translation of the first slide 41with respect to the guides 4 and the translation of the second slide 42with respect to the first slide 41. The bed 3 and the first slide 41 aremovable independently of each other, allowing a multiplicity ofpositions.

Releasable quick-locking means are provided for locking the slides 41,42 and the bed 3 in a position chosen by the user and for allowing morerapid release when displacement to another position is required.

End-of-travel stops are provided for preventing the bed 3 from beingaccidentally pulled out completely from the inner chamber 20 and/orbecoming disconnected from the guides 4.

The second slide 42 is constrained to the first slide 41 by means of aneasily releasable connection system so as to allow the total removal ofthe bed 3 when necessary, for example in order to use the bed 3 as atransportable stretcher or facilitate cleaning of the inner chamber 20.

Basically, in normal conditions, the bed 3 may protrude from the firstaccess opening 26 only with the section situated between the buttocksand the feet; in order to allow the back section to protrude and removethe bed 3 completely, the connection system must be released.

The slides 41, 42 travel along linear guides of the type chosen asrequired, for example ball, recirculating ball, roller, needle roller,telescopic, ball bearing or frictional type. The guides and/or theslides may be made of metal, steel, aluminium alloy, plastic or woodmaterials.

The stroke of the movement of the bed 3 may be made different in the twodirections by suitably limiting the movements of the slides 41, 42. Forexample, starting from the first position of the bed 3, the second slide42 may slide only towards the first access opening 26, and not towardsthe second access opening 27; the bed 3 may be made to protrude from thesecond access opening 27 only by sliding the first slide 41 along theguides 4, while the bed 3 may be made to protrude from the first accessopening 26 by sliding both the slides 41, 42; therefore the bed 3 mayprotrude from the second opening 27 by an amount smaller than that bywhich it may protrude from the first opening 26.

Alternatively, if necessary it is possible to adjust the movements ofthe slides 41, 42 so that the bed 3 is able to protrude from the twoopenings 26, 27 with sections of the same length, therefore eliminatingsaid difference.

Moreover, the guide system of the bed 3 allowing translation may bedesigned in a different way from the system of slides 41, 42 describedabove.

In order to increase the comfort of the user, the frame 35 of the bed 3is articulated, i.e. it comprises at least one first section which isangularly displaceable with respect to a second section. This allows theuser 8 to assume both a lying position and a comfortable sittingposition.

In particular, the frame 35 comprises a backrest section 36, a thighsection 37 and a shin section 38. The thigh section 37 is situatedbetween the backrest section 36 and the shin section 38. Each section ofthe frame 35 supports a corresponding region of the mattress or the likeintended to support a part of the user's body 8. The backrest section 36forms part of the region 31 for the trunk of the user 8; the thighsection 37 forms part of the region 32 for the thighs/hips of the user8; the shin section 38 forms part of the region 33 for the shins/feet ofthe user 8.

The backrest section 36 is hinged or articulated with respect to thethigh section 37 and is angularly displaceable between a conditionaligned with the thigh section 37 and a raised condition. In the alignedcondition, the user 8 has a horizontal support on which to lie flat,while in the raised condition the backrest 36 is adapted to support theback of the user 8 sat on the bed 3.

The shin section 38 is hinged or articulated with respect to the thighsection 37 and is angularly displaceable between a condition alignedwith the thigh section 37 and a lowered condition. In the alignedcondition, the user 8 has a horizontal support also for the shins andthe feet, while in the lowered condition the shin section 38 is lowerthan the thigh section 37 and therefore allows the user 8 on the bed 3to bend the knees and lower the shins and the feet, in particular so asto assume a sitting position which is more comfortable and healthy, withthe knees bent and the feet at a level lower than the buttocks.

This is additionally advantageous because, starting from such a sittingposition with the feet already at floor level, for the user 8 it iseasier to leave the housing unit 1 rapidly (for example in the case ofan emergency) even without moving the bed 3.

Moreover, when the shin section 38 is lowered, the door 28 may be openedtowards the inside of the inner chamber 20. The possibility ofperforming opening inwards is important for allowing the user to openthe door 28 and leave the housing unit 1 (for example in the event of anemergency) even when some obstacle prevents opening of the door 28outwards.

The backrest section 36 and the shin section 38 are angularlydisplaceable independently of each other. Quick-action releasablelocking systems are provided for locking the sections 36, 37, 38 of theframe 35 in relative angular positions as desired by the user and forreleasing locking when displacement into another angular position isrequired.

The shin section 38 may comprise in turn two sub-sections 381, 382 whichare hinged together. The two sub-sections 381, 382 are also providedwith quick-action releasable locking systems.

The two sub-sections 381, 382 are designed to close up hingeably, i.e.by means of a rotation through 180° relative to each other, when theshin section 38 is in the lowered condition. This is useful for reducingthe overall volume of the shin section 38 when it is not used and forallowing complete lowering of the shin section 38 without interferencewith the floor of the inner chamber 20.

The inner chamber 20, in particular its floor, has moreover a seating orrecess 24 which is lowered with respect to the surface of the bed 3 andis in the region facing the first access opening 26. When the bed 3 isin the first position, the recess 24 is located underneath the shinsection 38 and is able to receive the shin section 38 in the lowered andclosed-up condition, as well as the bent legs of the user 8, inparticular the shins and the feet of the user 8. This allows the user 8to sit on the bed 3 in a very comfortable position and moreoverfacilitates rapid exit of the user from the housing unit 1 and allowsopening of the door 28 inwards. Moreover, when the shin section 38 isclosed up, the user 8 may sit on the bed 3 in the second position andslide the bed 3 into the first position while remaining sat, withoutinterference with the floor of the inner chamber 20.

FIGS. 7 to 18 shows a plurality of different positions or configurationsof the bed 3, each corresponding to a mode of use. In particular, FIGS.12 to 18 show in simplified and schematic manner the followingconditions of the user 8, respectively: lying down inside, reclinedinside, sitting reclined inside, reclined outside on the leg side,reclined outside on the head side, sitting outside on the leg side,sitting inside with the door open inwards.

Basically, the bed 3 inside the inner chamber 20 allows the user 8 torest, sleep, remain in the lying position or sitting position orreclined position at various angles. The sitting position is madepossible also by the hingeable closing system of the shin section 38;owing to the presence of the recess 24 and the sufficient height of theinner chamber 20, the sitting position may also be assumed whileremaining comfortably inside the housing unit 1.

The bed 3 is mounted on a sliding structure, as described above, whichallows the bed 3 to protrude both at the front (i.e. through the firstaccess opening 26) and at the rear (i.e. through the second accessopening 27). This movement of the bed 3 may be performed manually orusing electromechanical systems. Movement of the bed 3 may also beperformed while remaining inside the housing unit 1, it does not requireexternal maneuvers and allows easy access to and easy exit from thehousing unit 1. The bed 3 may be arranged in a position protrudingoutside also only for leisure purposes or for checking, assistance,treatment or other purposes, for example in a medical base campsituation. When the bed 3 has been completely extracted outside, it maybe disengaged and used as an emergency transportation system, i.e. as astretcher.

The box-shaped structure 2 is provided with glass windows 210, which maybe opened. The doors 28, 29 may also be provided with glass windows. Thebox-shaped structure 2 is also provided with a hatch 220 which may alsobe fitted with glass and which is positioned at the top of thebox-shaped structure 2 and allows the user 8 to leave the inner chamber20 through said hatch in the event of an emergency.

The housing unit 1 may also have canopies 230 which project from the endwalls 21, 22 above the respective access opening 26, 27. The canopies230 in particular have a curved form which is joined to the cylindricalwall 23 and project by an amount which diminishes in the downwardsdirection. The canopies 230 are useful for protecting the user 8 fromthe sun, weather or falling objects when entering into/exiting from theinner chamber 20.

The housing unit 1 may be made using materials and with colours suitablefor ensuring an adequate degree of comfort, quality and resistance towear and the operating environment. The housing unit 1 may be providedwith: internal and/or external lighting, an air conditioning system, asystem for the filtered recirculation of air, an alarm system, emergencysystem, audio-visual system, telecommunications systems, electricitygenerating system such as photovoltaic panels or wind turbines. Inparticular, the housing unit 1 is configured to ensure a level ofanti-intrusion safety equivalent to that of a masonry built bedroom.

For example, the housing unit 1 may be used in a domestic dwelling as afurther emergency bed, on a campsite as a comfortable and safe place tosleep, on a land-based worksite instead of hotel room, on a sea platformfor sleeping in safe conditions, as an emergency shelter provided by thecivil protection authorities in the event of a natural or environmentaldisaster, in the military sector or in a field hospital as a medicalhospitalization facility.

FIG. 35 shows a floating sea platform 91 on which a plurality of housingunits 1 have been installed. For example, this is useful for providing arest area for workers on an open-sea oil rig.

FIG. 36 shows a plurality of housing units 1 which are arranged around adome 92; the housing units 1 communicate with the dome 92 by means ofpassages which are each connected to the first access opening 26 of arespective housing unit 1. For example, this is useful for providing aprotected area in which the persons may perform a common activity, eachperson having at his/her disposal moreover a private housing unit 1 forstaying and sleeping in at night-time.

In addition to the single-person housing unit 1 it is also possible toprovide housing units 1 which are adapted to accommodate severalpersons. FIGS. 29 to 32 show for example a housing unit 1 composedessentially of two modules (in particular, two central structures 205)which are arranged alongside and communicate with each other as well asbeing completed by a right-hand wall 208 and a left-hand wall 209. Thishousing unit 1 is suitable for two persons: two beds 3 are in factprovided, each being movable through a respective access opening 26 inthe manners already described.

FIGS. 33 and 34 show a variant of a housing unit 1 for two persons inwhich a box-shaped communication module 205 a is arranged between twocentral structures 205 so as to provide a further space in which personsmay stay. In other words, the housing unit 1 has a main central module205 a, for example provided with a table and shelves for positioningobjects, and two symmetrical side modules 205 each provided with arespective bed.

Other combinations are obviously possible, with a greater number ofmodules 205 a and/or central structures 205 which are suitably arranged.In other words, a housing unit 1 with the desired dimensions andfeatures may be assembled in a modular manner as required: by providinga suitable number of parts shown in FIG. 19, these parts may beassembled together so as to obtain the housing unit 1 with the desiredconfiguration and features. The greater the number of parts available,the greater is the number of configurations which may be obtained, withan obvious advantage when constructing the housing unit.

The housing unit 1 is moreover configured to float on water. This isuseful in the case where the housing unit 1 is flooded or slips or fallsinto water, for example during a flood or after slipping off a seaplatform into the sea, or if the housing unit 1 has been installed onthe bank of a river, a lake or the sea.

The floating capacity is useful also in the case of use as a rescueunit, for example for the passengers of a shipwrecked ship or forworkers on a sea oil rig, for example in the event of a fire. In suchcases the passengers or workers may take shelter inside the housingunits 1 which are then put out to sea and remain floating, so as toprovide a survival facility for persons waiting for the rescue services.For example, each housing unit 1 may be provided with a hook 58 at thetop for allowing hooking up to a cable 590 let down from a rescuehelicopter 59, as shown in FIG. 37. The helicopter 59 may thus raise andtransport the housing units 1 to a safe location. In other words, themodular housing unit 1 in the floating condition is a survival cell forthe user 8 who is exposed to a danger condition due to the surroundingwater environment, in particular the risk of drowning, hypothermia,attack by animals or not being found by the rescuers. The modularhousing unit 1 is a survival cell in the sense that it allows the user 8to remain in a protected environment while waiting for the rescueservices.

In order to ensure that the housing unit 1 floats for a long enoughperiod without taking in water, at least the bottom region 207 of thebox-shaped structure 2 is watertight in order to prevent the water fromentering into the inner chamber 20. In other words, the bottom of thebox-shaped structure 2 forms a hull, i.e. acts in a manner similar to ahull, being watertight at least up to a floating line of the housingunit 1 under full load.

The doors 28, 29 may also be hermetically closed in watertight manner soas to prevent the infiltration of water.

In order to assist floating, rings 61 may be arranged externally aroundthe longitudinal side wall 23 of the box-shaped structure 2. The rings61 are for example made of a material with a density much less than thatof water or are inflatable members which are inflated with air or othergas when it is required to increase the Archimedes' thrust and thereforethe floating capacity of the housing unit 1 on water. In order toprevent the housing unit 1 from overturning in the water, the housingunit is made so as to have a centre of gravity which is as low aspossible. In particular, the housing unit 1 is designed to have a centreof gravity B in a location such that, when the housing unit 1 isfloating in the water 97, the centre of gravity B is situated below thesurface 98 of the water 97. Consequently, the housing unit 1 in thewater has a stable equilibrium condition in the centred horizontalposition which it assumes on the ground 90 during the normal conditionof use as a housing for the user 8.

Owing to the position of the centre of gravity B, the housing unit 1returns spontaneously into this centred horizontal position after it hasbeen made unstable by a wave or the wind. The cylindrical form of thebox-shaped structure 2 also favours that it maintains this centredhorizontal position and returns into said position.

In particular, in order to obtain a centre of gravity B in thisposition, the supporting base 5 underneath the box-shaped structure hasa density greater than the density of the water. The position and theoverall weight of the supporting base 5 are such as to determine acentre of gravity B which, when the housing unit 1 is floating in thewater 97, is located below the surface 98 of the water.

In particular, the support feet 50 a, 50 b are heavy and for examplemade of solid metal or are hollow bodies which are filled with water.

As shown in the figures, the support feet 50 a, 50 b are movable memberswhich are displaceable between a first condition and a second condition.

In the first condition (shown for example in FIGS. 1 to 11), eachmovable member 50 a, 50 b forms the supporting base 5 and therefore actsas a support foot for the housing unit 1. This is the condition normallyassumed when the housing unit 1 is on the ground 90 during the conditionof normal use as housing for the user 8.

In the second condition, each movable member 50 a, 50 b extendsdownwards from the bottom of the box-shaped structure 2 and forms a finor fin-keel 55 which extends underneath the box-shaped structure 2. Thisis the condition which each movable member 50 a 50 b assumes when thehousing unit 1 is floating on water. The purpose of the fin 55 is tomaintain the centred horizontal position of the housing unit 1, in themanner of the a fin of a sailing boat, and it therefore counteracts orprevents overturning of the housing unit 1 under the action of the wavesor the wind.

Moreover, the movement of the movable members 50 a, 50 b towards thesecond condition displaces the centre of gravity B downwards, helping toachieve said position in which the centre of gravity B is locatedunderneath the surface 98 of the water 97.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 28, the two movablemembers/support feet 50 a, 50 b are arranged symmetrically and in thesecond condition they make contact with each other, forming a single fin55. Systems may be provided for coupling together the two movablemembers 50 a, 50 b in the second condition in order to ensure that thefin 55 is stable. For example, these coupling systems could be of themagnetic type.

In variations of embodiment, shown for example in FIGS. 29 to 32, thetwo movable members 50 a, 50 b are far from each other and each form arespective fin 55.

In another variation of embodiment a single movable member may beprovided.

In the embodiments shown for example in FIGS. 1 to 26, each movablemember 50 a, 50 b is pivoted to the box-shaped structure 2, inparticular to the bottom of the box-shaped structure 2, along alongitudinal pivoting axis 500. Therefore, the movement of the movablemember 50 a, 50 b between the first condition and the second condition(and vice versa) is a rotation about said longitudinal pivoting axis500. In particular, the first movable member 50 a and the second movablemember 50 b are pivoted to the box-shaped structure 2 along a samelongitudinal pivoting axis 500 such that in the second condition theyare arranged against each other and a single fin 55 is easily obtained.

In a variation of embodiment, shown for example in FIGS. 27 and 28, eachmovable member 50 a, 50 b is connected to the box-shaped structure 2 bymeans of at least one articulated arm 57. Therefore, the movement of themovable member 50 a, 50 b between the first condition and the secondcondition (and vice versa) is an articulated movement by means of thearm 57.

The movement of the movable members 50 a, 50 b from the first conditiontowards the second condition occurs spontaneously when the housing unit1 is in the water. This is achieved owing to the weight of the movablemembers 50 a, 50 b, which have a density greater than that of the water.In fact, each movable member 50 a, 50 b tends to move downwards owing toits weight, but, since it is constrained by the pivoting system 500 orby the articulated arm 57, the sole movement which it is able to performis a displacement towards the second condition.

Alternatively or in addition, a mechanical or electromechanical systemmay be provided for moving the movable members 50 a, 50 b towards thesecond condition. This mechanical or electromechanical system may beactivated manually or automatically by means of a sensor which detectsfalling of the housing unit 1 into the water.

In one embodiment, shown for example in FIGS. 22 to 26, the housing unit1 comprises at least one floating element 53 which is connected to thesupporting base 5; in particular, a floating element 53 is envisaged foreach movable member 50 a, 50 b. The floating element 53 has a densityless than that of the water and in particular is a hollow body and iswatertight. The floating element 53 is essentially a caisson with afloating function.

For example, each floating element 53 extends longitudinally over alength equal to about the length of the longitudinal side wall 23 of thebox-shaped structure 2 and the respective movable member 50 a, 50 b.

The floating elements 53 have the function of favouring floating of thehousing unit 1, in particular if water should enter inside the innerchamber 20; in this case, in fact, the floating elements 53 ensure thatthe housing unit 1 continues in any case to float.

The floating element 53 is hinged with the respective movable member 50a, 50 b, in particular to a top side of the latter, along a longitudinalhinge axis 530.

When the movable member 50 a, 50 b is in the first condition where itacts as a support foot, the floating element 53 is alongside the movablemember 50 a, 50 b and in some cases forms an extension of the supportingbase 5 (FIG. 22).

When the housing unit 1 is floating on water, the movable member 50 a,50 b tends to move downwards because of its weight, while the floatingelement 53 is lighter than the water and tends to float. This results ina relative rotation about the longitudinal hinge axis 530 (FIGS. 25 and26) which causes the floating element 53 to move above the respectivemovable member 50 a, 50 b, going to a position between the movablemember and the box-shaped structure (FIGS. 23 and 24).

The floating element 53 therefore also allows the position of the fin 55to be stabilized. In fact, by being positioned between the bottom 207 ofthe box-shaped structure 2 and the movable member 50 a, 50 b in thesecond condition, the floating element 53 prevents the movable member 50a, 50 b from returning spontaneously into the first condition.

In order to maximize this stabilization effect, the floating element 53has a first surface 531 which has a convex shape complementing the uppersurface 51 of the movable member 50 a, 50 b and moreover has a secondsurface 532 which has a concave shape identical to said upper surface51.

When the movable member 50 a, 50 b is in the second condition, the firstsurface 531 of the floating element 53 is housed in contact with theupper surface 51 of the movable member 50 a, 50 b, while the secondsurface 532 of the floating element 53 makes contact with a bottomportion of the lateral longitudinal wall 23 of the box-shaped structure2.

In other words, the second surface 532 creates a receiving seat for thebottom 207 of the box-shaped structure 2, replacing the surface 51 ofthe movable member 50 a, 50 b which performs the same function in thefirst condition.

As shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, the movable members 50 a, 50 b and thefloating elements 53 form a single fin 55 which cannot pivot withrespect to the box-shaped structure 2 because it is locked in positionby the matching engagement between the parts.

As shown in FIGS. 33 and 34, the floating element 53 may in some casesbe provided on only one of the movable members 50 a, 50 b which form thefin 55.

The subject of the present disclosure has been described hitherto withreference to preferred embodiments thereof. It is to be understood thatother embodiments relating to the same inventive idea may exist, all ofthese falling within the scope of protection of the claims which areillustrated hereinbelow.

1. A modular housing unit for housing a user, the modular housing unitcomprising: a box-shaped structure which encloses an inner chamber, thebox-shaped structure having at least one access opening to the innerchamber; and a bed or the like positioned in the inner chamber, whereinthe bed or the like is mounted on guides connected to the box-shapedstructure and is adapted to perform a translational movement withrespect to the box-shaped structure along said guides; the bed or thelike being movable between a first position, in which the bed or thelike is completely inside the inner chamber, and a second position, inwhich the bed or the like protrudes at least partially from the innerchamber through said at least one access opening, the modular housingunit being configured to allow a user to lie in the bed or the like whenthe bed or the like is in the first position inside the inner chamber,the movability of the bed or the like between the first position and thesecond position, and vice versa, allowing the user to exit from/enterthe inner chamber while remaining lying in the bed or the like, the bedor the like having a longitudinal axis corresponding to a head-feetdirection of the user, said translational movement being along atranslational axis which is parallel to said longitudinal axis of thebed or the like.
 2. The modular housing unit according to claim 1,wherein the bed or the like has a trunk region, a thigh region and ashin or foot region, each of these regions being intended to support acorresponding part of the body of the user, the shin or foot regionbeing closer to said at least one access opening than the trunk regionwhen the bed or the like is in the first position inside the innerchamber.
 3. The modular housing unit according to claim 2, wherein, whenthe bed or the like is in the second position, said thigh region andsaid shin or foot region are outside the inner chamber.
 4. The modularhousing unit according to claim 1, wherein the box-shaped structure hasa first access opening and a second access opening, the second accessopening being on an opposite side of the inner chamber with respect tothe first access opening, the bed or the like in the second positionprotruding at least partially from the inner chamber through the firstaccess opening, the bed or the like being further movable between thefirst position and a third position in which the bed or the likeprotrudes at least partially from the inner chamber through the secondaccess opening, the first position being situated between the secondposition and the third position.
 5. The modular housing unit accordingto claim 1, wherein the bed or the like has an articulated frame, thearticulated frame comprising at least a first frame section and a secondframe section, the first frame section being angularly displaceable withrespect to the second frame section.
 6. The modular housing unitaccording to claim 5, wherein said articulated frame comprises a shinsection and a thigh section, the shin section being angularlydisplaceable with respect to the thigh section between a conditionaligned with the thigh section and a lowered condition which allows auser on the bed or the like to bend the knees and lower the shins andthe feet.
 7. The modular housing unit according to claim 6, wherein saidshin section comprises two sub-sections hinged together, said twosub-sections being configured to hingeably close up when the shinsection is in the lowered condition.
 8. The modular housing unitaccording to claim 6, wherein the inner chamber comprises a seating orrecess for receiving the shin section in the lowered condition when thebed or the like is in the first position, said seating or recess beingadapted to receive also the shins and the feet of the user.
 9. Themodular housing unit according to claim 5, wherein said articulatedframe comprises a backrest section and a thigh section, the backrestsection being angularly displaceable with respect to the thigh sectionbetween a condition aligned with the thigh section and a raisedcondition in which the backrest section is adapted to support the backof a user sitting on the bed or the like.
 10. The modular housing unitaccording to claim 1, wherein the bed or the like is mounted on saidguides via a first slide and a second slide, the first slide beingslidably mounted on said guides, the second slide being slidably mountedon the first slide and supporting the bed or the like.
 11. The modularhousing unit according to claim 1, comprising at least one handrailpositioned in said inner chamber and fixed to the box-shaped structure,said at least one handrail being substantially parallel to said guidesand being able to be gripped by a user lying on the bed or the like. 12.The modular housing unit according to claim 1, wherein the modularhousing unit comprises a supporting base for resting the housing unit ona ground or a similar installation surface during a condition of normaluse for housing a user, the modular housing unit being furtherconfigured to float in water, at least a bottom region of the box-shapedstructure being watertight, the modular housing unit in a floatingcondition being a survival cell for the user in a danger condition dueto a surrounding water environment.
 13. A modular housing unit forhousing a user, comprising: a box-shaped structure which encloses aninner chamber; a bed or the like positioned in the inner chamber; and asupporting base for resting the housing unit on a ground or a similarinstallation surface during a condition of normal use for housing auser, the modular housing unit being further configured to float inwater, at least a bottom region of the box-shaped structure beingwatertight, the modular housing unit in a floating condition being asurvival cell for the user in a danger condition due to a surroundingwater environment, wherein the supporting base comprises at least onemovable member which is movable between a first condition, in which saidat least one movable member forms a supporting base for the modularhousing unit, and a second condition, in which said at least one movablemember extends downwards from the bottom of the box-shaped structure,said at least one movable member being able to assume said secondcondition when the modular housing unit is floating in water, said atleast one movable member in the second condition forming a fin whichextends underneath the box-shaped structure to counteract overturning ofthe modular housing unit in the floating condition.
 14. The modularhousing unit according to claim 13, the supporting base comprising afirst movable member and a second movable member which are symmetricallypositioned, wherein said first movable member and second movable memberin the first condition form support feet which extend from oppositesides, and wherein said first movable member and second movable memberin the second condition are in contact with each other to form said fin.15. The modular housing unit according to claim 13, wherein said atleast one movable member is pivoted to the box-shaped structure along alongitudinal pivoting axis, the movement between the first condition andthe second condition, and vice versa, being a rotation about saidlongitudinal pivoting axis.
 16. The modular housing unit according toclaim 14, wherein the first movable member and the second movable memberare pivoted to the box-shaped structure along a same longitudinalpivoting axis, the movement between the first condition and the secondcondition, and vice versa, being a rotation around said longitudinalpivoting axis.
 17. The modular housing unit according to claim 13,wherein said at least one movable member is connected to the box-shapedstructure via at least one articulated arm.
 18. The modular housing unitaccording to claim 13, further comprising at least one floating elementhaving a density less than the density of water, said at least onefloating element being hinged with a respective movable member along alongitudinal hinge axis, so that said at least one floating element isalongside the respective movable member when the respective movablemember is in the first condition, and so that said at least one floatingelement is above the respective movable member and is positioned betweenthe respective movable member and the box-shaped structure when therespective movable member is in the second condition.
 19. The modularhousing unit according to claim 18, wherein said at least one floatingelement is configured to stabilize the position of said fin when therespective movable member is in the second condition, said at least onefloating element being positioned between the respective movable memberand the box-shaped structure so as to prevent the respective movablemember from returning into the first condition.
 20. The modular housingunit according to claim 13, wherein the modular housing unit isconfigured to have a center of gravity in such a location that it isbelow the surface of the water when the modular housing unit is floatingin water.
 21. The modular housing unit according to claim 20, whereinsaid supporting base is positioned underneath the box-shaped structureand has a density greater than the density of water, the position andthe overall weight of the supporting base being configured to determinea location of the center of gravity of the modular housing unit, thecenter of gravity being located below the surface of the water when themodular housing unit is floating in water.
 22. The modular housing unitaccording to claim 13, comprising inflatable members or rings arrangedon the outside of the box-shaped structure, said inflatable members orrings being adapted to be inflated by a gas so as to increase thefloating capacity of the modular housing unit in water.
 23. The modularhousing unit according to claim 13, wherein the box-shaped structure hasat least one access opening to the inner chamber, the bed or the likebeing mounted on guides connected to the box-shaped structure and beingadapted to perform a translational movement with respect to thebox-shaped structure along said guides, the bed or the like beingmovable between a first position, in which the bed or the like iscompletely inside the inner chamber, and a second position, in which thebed or the like protrudes at least partially from the inner chamberthrough said at least one access opening, the modular housing unit beingconfigured to allow a user to lie in the bed or the like when the bed orthe like is in the first position inside the inner chamber, themovability of the bed or the like between the first position and thesecond position, and vice versa, allowing the user to exit from/enterthe inner chamber while remaining lying in the bed or the like. 24.(canceled)